Where there is peace, there is God. Where there is God, there is peace.

This blog by Dan Weaver-White the former author of Yesterday Once More and senior writer and photographer for A Primitive Place & Country Journal magazine is dedicated to finding peace and hope through lessons that God has inspired him to write.

It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. In fact, I think it is a proven, scientific fact. Even if it weren’t, I know that laughter is the best medicine. I have seen it in action for years. I believe that God wants us to laugh. He wants us to feel all the emotions that we have been given, but I believe that laughter is one of the most important. If you have ever thought that God did not have a sense of humor, take a look at some of the animals, people, and objects that he created and then tell me he doesn’t have a sense of humor. One of the very first things that an adult tries to get a baby to do is smile or laugh. In fact, it is one of the first things that we learn to do as a baby. Think about when you see a baby laugh. What happens? It makes you laugh too, and it makes you feel good.

I have been blessed to have several humorous people in my life. Whenever I feel low, I can always count on them to make me laugh. When we laugh, we do not feel as bad as we did. When we laugh we have to smile, and that in itself is a good reason to laugh. I like to think that I have a fairly good sense of humor, and I have been known to make people laugh, but one of the funniest people I have ever met is my grandma. She laughs and smiles almost all of the time. In turn, she makes the people around her laugh and smile. Whenever I spend time with my grandma or we talk on the phone, you can bet that we will be laughing. She never takes herself too seriously. She has never been afraid to laugh at herself, and she has been able to find humor in almost any situation. I think that my grandma has been very blessed to receive this gift, and it has sustained her throughout her life.

Just from visiting with my grandma you would never know the struggles she has faced. She lost a child while her husband was away fighting a war, her dad died when she was in her early twenties, she had a child with a chronic illness, she went through a divorce, she fought cancer two times, and she lost the love of her life. Through it all, she smiled and was able to laugh. She never lost her sense of humor. I have often wondered what would have become of her had she not had a sense of humor. I believe she would not have been able to face all the challenges that life had in store for her. I don’t believe that she would have been the witness to the number of people that she has been. She is 90 years old now, and she is still laughing and smiling. I believe that God gives all of us gifts and that laughter is one of them. He wants us to laugh and see humor in life. I used to work with a woman who would often say, “You have to laugh to keep from crying.” I believe that that is a very good attitude to have.

This life can be hard. We all know that. God has given us so much armor to protect us from the negative aspects of life, and laughter is one of them. So, surround yourself with people who make you laugh and try to bring that laughter to others. It will make them and you feel better and will prepare you for the trials that will come your way. If you find yourself not able to laugh, just think of my grandma and people like her and just do it! When we laugh, we experience peace, and PEACE MATTERS.